Byron Kerr

More promotions to come from Hagerstown?

July 18, 2012, 5:58am

Low Single-A Hagerstown's pitching staff was acknowledged with the recent news that right-handers Alex Meyer and Aaron Barrett will be promoted to high Single-A Potomac on Thursday. Shortstop Jason Martinson was promoted on the offensive side earlier this season. It is likely that some of the tremendous offensive talent on his former team in Hagerstown will be bumped up to join him in Potomac very soon. There are several candidates who could get the promotion, including third baseman Matt...

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Young stars blend well with veterans, helping Nationals succeed

July 17, 2012, 8:25pm

Nationals

Twenty-five-year-old Tyler Moore started it all with a solo homer. Twenty-three-year-old Steve Lombardozzi added a huge insurance run with a RBI double. Nineteen-year-old Bryce Harper helped to complete a comeback with a late RBI triple. This pattern is not unusual for the Nationals this season. Moore is in his first season in the bigs, of course, but the young guns have been the perfect complement to players that have been in the majors for a while, and it has added up to a special...

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Alex Meyer and Aaron Barrett promoted to Potomac, report Thursday

July 17, 2012, 7:58pm

Nationals

Alex Meyer and Aaron Barrett promoted to Potomac, report Thursday

Pitchers Alex Meyer and Aaron Barrett have been pitching lights out all season for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns, and just a few days into the second half, they are getting rewarded. According to a club source, the right-handers have been promoted to high Single-A Potomac and will report Thursday. Barrett is 3-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 31 games, and has recorded 31 saves. He has established himself as one of the top up-and-coming, late-inning performers in the Nationals' chain. Barrett hasn't...

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Lucas Giolito ready to start his Nationals adventure

July 17, 2012, 1:08pm

Nationals

He has a signed Mace Windu purple lightsaber from Samuel L. Jackson hanging in his room. He played water polo and occasionally snowboarded in California. He had never visited Washington, D.C., before July. He now pitches for the Washington Nationals. Who is he? Meet new right-hander Lucas Giolito. The Nationals' top selection (No. 16 overall) in the 2012 first-year draft met with the media Tuesday in the Nationals' dugout, sporting jersey No. 30. The agreement with the Nationals came...

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Potomac Nationals announce plans for new stadium by 2014

July 17, 2012, 9:49am

Nationals

For years, the Potomac Nationals and their fans have yearned for a stadium that matched the product on the field. That dream appears to finally be moving closer to reality. Prince William County, the Potomac Nationals, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and PTC Roadside Development LLC announced at a news conference today, that a public and private financial marriage has been put in place that would bring a 6,000-seat state-of-the-art minor league baseball stadium to Prince...

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Can't stop talking about Potomac's Karns, who wins fifth straight

July 16, 2012, 7:09pm

Nationals

Can't stop talking about Potomac's Karns, who wins fifth straight

High Single-A Potomac's Nathan Karns continues to put together a season that is grabbing the attention of the parent franchise. Karns fired six scoreless innings as the P-Nats dropped Lynchburg 14-0 at Pfitzner Stadium. The Hillcats managed just one hit against Potomac pitching and it was the Nationals' fourth shutout of the season. Karns improved to 5-2 by allowing just that one hit with two walks and six strikeouts. He has won five consecutive starts. His ERA is 2.12 and he has struck...

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After tough outing in Syracuse, will Lannan get shot Saturday in doubleheader for Nationals?

July 16, 2012, 5:25pm

Nationals

Left-hander John Lannan started off slowly at Triple-A Syracuse but then got into a nice rhythm, compiling six wins. Before the season started, Lannan sent out an email requesting a trade, following his demotion to Triple-A. He has been waiting for his shot back with the Nationals or to pitch well enough to get another team's attention, or both. The Nationals have a couple of doubleheaders coming up on the schedule where Lannan could get the opportunity to showcase his talents again with the...

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Nationals' Storen knocked around in Harrisburg rehab appearance

July 15, 2012, 1:03pm

Nationals

Nationals closer Drew Storen continued his rehab from elbow surgery with an appearance for Double-A Harrisburg and did not have his best stuff. With the Senators leading 4-1 in the seventh, Storen surrendered four runs on three hits to Richmond, including a solo homer that lost the lead. Richmond's Johnny Monell cranked a solo shot, No. 8 on the season, with two outs in the seventh off of Storen to give the Flying Squirrels a 5-4 lead. Storen also allowed a single, a triple and a sacrifice...

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Wang suffers loss in rehab start for Senators, but throws strikes

July 13, 2012, 7:27pm

Nationals

Wang suffers loss in rehab start for Senators, but throws strikes

Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang settled down after a rocky start, but took the loss as Richmond defeated Double-A Harrisburg 4-0 in the opening game of a doubleheader Friday night. Wang, on the disabled list due to a hip injury, allowed a Gary Brown double to lead off the game and committed a throwing error which gave the Flying Squirrels a 1-0 advantage. Another single and then a double play made it 2-0. Wang had a 1-2-3 second frame and a scoreless third. But in the fourth, Wang...

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By the numbers: Zimmermann looking to reverse trends against Fish

July 13, 2012, 4:30am

Nationals

By the numbers: Zimmermann looking to reverse trends against Fish

As the Nationals embark on the start of the second half of the season, Washington enjoys a four game lead in the National League East and faces off against a team that has had their number for what seems like several seasons. The Nationals have won just one season series against the Marlins (10-8 in 2007) and are 64-88 all-time in Miami. Even this year, the Marlins are the only NL East team with a winning record so far this season against the Nats (3-2). The Nats are 6-2 against the Braves,...

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Storen allows one run, strikes out five in another Potomac rehab outing

July 12, 2012, 7:10pm

Nationals

Storen allows one run, strikes out five in another Potomac rehab outing

Nationals reliever Drew Storen continued his rehab assignment with Single-A Potomac by pitching two innings, allowing a solo homer and striking out five batters Thursday night. Storen allowed three hits in getting the six outs, spanning the seventh and eighth frames in an 8-3 loss at Wilmington. He faced nine batters, induced a ground out and threw one wild pitch in his fourth assignment for the P-Nats. Storen is recovering from having a bone chip removed from his right elbow that has caused...

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Nelo takes loss in Eastern League All-Star Game; Souza earns SAL weekly honor

July 11, 2012, 6:44pm

Nationals

Nelo takes loss in Eastern League All-Star Game; Souza earns SAL weekly honor

Chris Rahl and Erik Davis made contributions, but in the end, the Eastern division beat the Western division All-Stars 5-4 in the Double-A Eastern League Midsummer Classic from Reading, Pa. With the scored tied 4-4, Harrisburg closer Hector Nelo was not on target in the bottom of the ninth. Nelo got the call with two outs and walked Troy Hanzawa. Kevin Mahoney singled and Hanzawa went to third. Eric Campbell then singled in Hanzawa for the game-winning run, and Nelo took the loss. Rahl...

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Rahl wins Eastern League home run derby; Wang starts Friday for Harrisburg

July 10, 2012, 7:47pm

Nationals

Rahl wins Eastern League home run derby; Wang starts Friday for Harrisburg

Chris Rahl added to what has been a powerful start to the season by winning the home run derby at the Eastern League All-Star festivities in Reading, Pa., Tuesday night. Rahl outpointed Richmond's Daniel Mayora by scoring bonus points for hitting a crane positioned past the outfield wall. Rahl has 10 homers in the first 79 games for the Senators this season, after hitting five all of last season. He has hit more home runs only once in his career, with 13 back in 2006. The Senators also...

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Desmond's sacrifice a prime example of Nationals' real focus

July 10, 2012, 9:51am

Nationals

It was the most unselfish move. The decision made with the big picture in mind. It was an individual sacrifice for the good of the team. Players work their whole careers for a shot at the All-Star Game. Whether voted by the fans or the manager, it is usually a once-in-a-lifetime accolade that can define a player's legacy. Ian Desmond earned that invitation with a breakout first half. Playing acrobatic defense at short, Desmond led the team at the plate. First as the leadoff man and then in...

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Harrisburg surging as second half begins

July 10, 2012, 4:36am

Nationals

Harrisburg surging as second half begins

At Double-A Harrisburg, it's been a nice splash for shortstop Zach Walters, who in 20 games is hitting .338 with a slugging percentage of .623. He has eight doubles, one triple, four homers and 10 RBIs in that span. He has 26 hits, 12 runs and has walked five times. He has committed five errors, but the offensive numbers are big attention-getters after a fair start at high Single-A Potomac. To see him take it up a notch for the Senators is a very good sign. First baseman Jimmy Van Ostrand has...

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Harrisburg's Perry notches first win as a starter, more homers in Hagerstown

July 08, 2012, 5:39pm

Nationals

Harrisburg's Perry notches first win as a starter, more homers in Hagerstown

The move of Ryan Perry from reliever to starter continues to progress in a positive direction. Although not as overpowering as his recent starts, Perry continues to make hits difficult to come by for opponents. Perry allowed just two hits over five innings Sunday as Double-A Harrisburg defeated Erie 3-1, improving his record to 1-1 as a starter. He gave up two walks and struck out three, marking the second start in which he lasted at least five innings. The plan was to ramp him up each start...

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Storen hit a bit in second rehab game, but felt like he took a "step forward"

July 07, 2012, 8:06pm

Nationals

Storen hit a bit in second rehab game, but felt like he took a "step forward"

Nationals right-hander Drew Storen came in for the eighth inning Saturday and got hit a bit during the second game of his rehab assignment for high Single-A Potomac. Leading 3-1, Storen allowed two runs on two hits and a walk, with only one of the runs earned. He did finish out the inning. Storen faced six batters. Storen told reporters he was a little disappointed the outing did not go as well as Thursday, but that is not the most important reason for these rehab games. It is about making...

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Walters tearing cover off the ball, Tatusko impressive as Harrisburg edges Bowie

July 06, 2012, 5:54pm

Nationals

Walters tearing cover off the ball, Tatusko impressive as Harrisburg edges Bowie

Harrisburg Senators shortstop Zach Walters hit fairly well in his first 54 games at Single-A Potomac, batting .269. But since his call-up to the Double-A level, Walters has been on a serious tear. Friday night in Bowie, Walters crushed a three-run shot to account for all the Senators' offense in a 3-2 win over the Baysox. His fourth homer came in the fourth inning off of Bowie starter Richard Zagone. Senators play-by-play man Terry Byrom tweeted the blast traveled 425 feet. Walters is now...

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Strasburg more than halfway to innings cap, looking for bounceback

July 06, 2012, 6:42am

Nationals

Strasburg more than halfway to innings cap, looking for bounceback

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg faces off against the Colorado Rockies Friday, looking to rebound from just three innings in the sweltering heat in Atlanta last week. His next start will likely be scheduled for Sunday, July 15 in Miami, following the All-Star game in Kansas City. If Strasburg averages six innings per outing, he will be at 99 innings after tonight and 105 frames following July 15. That would mathematically put him in for nine or 10 more starts the rest of the way,...

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Harrisburg's Pucetas tweaks knee but "should be fine"

July 05, 2012, 7:10pm

Nationals

Harrisburg's Pucetas tweaks knee but "should be fine"

Right-hander Kevin Pucetas was moving swiftly through his seventh start of the season Thursday before an injury forced him to leave Double-A Harrisburg's contest against Bowie. Pucetas retired the first seven hitters he faced, striking out four, walking none and not allowing a hit or run in 2 1/3 innings. He faced seven batters and threw 31 pitches, 21 for strikes. Harrisburg eventually won the game 8-6. The Senators led 1-0 when Pucetas departed. It was unfortunate that Pucetas had to...